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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within your body. MRI is safe, but if something goes wrong, it can go very wrong. Most reported cases of MRI-related injuries and the few fatalities that have occurred have apparently been the result of failure to follow safety guidelines or of use of inappropriate or outdated information related to the safety aspects of biomedical implants and devices. To prevent accidents in the MRI environment, therefore, it is necessary to revise information on biologic effects and safety according to changes that have occurred in MRI technology and with regard to current guidelines for biomedical implants and devices. This review provides an overview of and update on MRI biologic effects, discusses new or controversial MRI safety topics and issues, and presents evidence-based guidelines to ensure safety for patients and staff.

The present study has investigated the potential effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electric field exposure on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels of adult male rats. Sixty rats have been divided into three independent groups randomly, 20 of which arranged as controls (without exposure to 50 Hz electric field), 20 of which have been exposed to a 50 Hz electric field for 10 days and 20 of which have been exposed to a 50-Hz electric field for 30 days. Levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in plasma samples have been measured. Total cholesterol concentration of the plasma in group 2 with short-term exposure and group 3 with long-term exposure to 50 Hz EF (65.33 ± 15.31 mg/dL and 59.55 ± 15.01 mg/dL, respectively) has showed significant decrease when compared with control groups (70.44 ± 19.60 mg/dL). Also, plasma triglyceride showed similar changes (control: 84.44 ± 16.79 mg/dL, 67.33 ± 15.63 and 51.53 ± 14.17 mg/dL in group 1 and 2, respectively). Fifty Hz electric field may decrease plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rodents significantly, especially with long-term exposure.

The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of 50 Hz-1 mT magnetic field (MF) on action potential in isolated rat sciatic nerve. We used 16 Wistar rats in the study. They were divided into control (n ¼ 10) and MF (n ¼ 6) groups. The sciatic nerve of left legs in the MF group was exposed to 50 Hz-1 mT MF for 30 min by using a Helmholtz applicator and then action potentials in control and experimental groups were recorded extracellularly. Maximum amplitude and hyperpolarization time and action potential were significantly (p 0.025) lower in the MF group than in control. However, conduction time, minimum amplitude, depolarization and repolarization times of the action potential was not different between control and MF groups evaluated. In conclusion, 50-1 mT MF caused to decrease amplitude value and hyperpolarization time of action potential in the rat nerve.

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether or not pulsed electric field (PEF) affects some hematological parameters in rats. Sixteen healthy male Wistar rats weighting 150-200 g were used and were randomly divided into two groups. Exposure group (n = 8) was exposed to a PEF (10 kV m⁻¹ for 1 h d⁻¹) for 10 consecutive days. The control group rats (n = 8) were not exposed to PEF. The following hematological parameters were measured in both the groups: white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht) and platelets (PLTs). Some of the hematological parameters under investigation were similar in both the groups. Exposure group, exposed for 1 h d⁻¹ during 10 consecutive days, induced a significant increase in the rates of WBC (p < 0.05), RBC (p < 0.05), Hb (p < 0.05), Ht (p < 0.05) and PLTs (p < 0.05) in blood when compared with control. These results suggest that PEFs affect the hematological parameters in rat. Results of the parameters are statistically significant.